How To Remove Glue Stains

Removing glue stains from your jeans guide: 2 do-it-yourself methods

Method 1 (for cotton/cotton blends and linen stained with glue):

What you'll need:

1) 1 quart warm water
2) 1/2 teaspoon liquid dishwashing or laundry detergent
3) Clear isopropyl alcohol (minimum 70% solution; 90% denatured alcohol can also be used)
4) Sponge
5) toothbrush
6) Enzyme presoak* (you may or may not need this).

* Enzyme presoak solutions become inactive in storage, so use it as soon as possible.

Method 1 Steps:

1) Soak hem in a solution of 1 quart warm water and 1/2 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing or laundry detergent for approximately 15 minutes (or as needed).
2) Once soaked well, tamp stain with a toothbrush (to loosen stain)
3) Then flush/rinse with water
4) Sponge stain with rubbing alcohol (CAUTION: BE SURE TO FIRST TEST FOR COLOR FAST IN AN INCONSPICUOUS SPOT; my havanas did not fade, however).
4a) Launder, if possible.
4b) If not (e.g., embellished with crystals), presoak hem in a solution of 1 quart warm water and 1 tablespoon enzyme presoak product for 30 minutes (or as needed).
5b) Rinse well and launder as soon as possible.

Method 2 (for cotton/cotton blends and linen stained with unknown agent):

What you'll need:

1) Rubbing alcohol
2) ammonia (the plain household variety); BE SURE TO TEST FABRIC FOR COLORFAST FIRST
3) cloth
4) dry spotter** (preparation to remove almost any kind of stain)
a) coconut oil (or mineral oil if coco. oil not available)
b) dry cleaning solvent (see 5 below)
c) tightly capped container (for storage)
5) Liquid dry cleaning solvent (perchloroethylene, trichloroethylane, or trichloroethylene are the most common and effective)
6) amyl acetate (maybe) - available in drugstores
7) toothbrush
wet spotter*** (maybe; used to remove many kinds of stains)
a) glycerin
b) white dishwashing detergent
c) water
d) plastic squeeze bottle (or whatever you can store and shake solution before use)

** Preparation of dry spotter: Combine 1 part coconut oil (or mineral oil) and 8 parts liquid dry-cleaning solvent. Store in tightly cappend container to prevent evaporation.

*** Preparation of wet spotter: Mix 1 part glycerin, 1 part white dishwashing detergent, and 8 parts water. Store solution in plastic squeeze bottle, and shake well before each use.

Method 2 Steps:

1) Cover stain with rubbing alcohol, let it remain on stain for a few minutes.
2a) Wipe stain with a cloth moistened with ammonia.
2b) If stain persists, sponge area with a dry-cleaning solvent.
3) Apply a dry spotter
4) Gently tamp (with toothbrush) or scrape (with dull knife, spoon, spatula, etc.) to help loosen stain
5) Flush with liquid dry-cleaning solvent
6) If stain remains, apply amyl acetate and tamp with brush again.
7) Flush (again) with dry cleaning solvent
If stain still persists, sponge with water, then apply wet spotter
5) Tamp again, and apply wet spotter and a few drops of ammonia.
6) Flush with dry-cleaning solvent and allow to dry.

Alternative for lazy people (like Jenny): Have the hems professionally dry cleaned.

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